Abstract: Methods and systems are described for the detection of malicious host systems in real time using techniques that are computationally efficient, and that minimize delays or interruptions to the flow of network transmissions. The methods and systems include using a Bloom filter to efficiently determine that a host name requested by a user device is not on a list of known malicious hosts. However, because the Bloom filter may also ambiguously determine that the requested host name may be on the list of host names for which communication is prohibited, an SQL table storing the list of prohibited host names is referenced to resolve any ambiguous determinations of the Bloom filter.

Abstract: A functional library can secure data gathering devices of a personal computing device on behalf of a secure application program to provide a more secure computing session during which sensitive data gathering activities are performed using any of those data gathering devices. The functional library, when incorporated within a personal computing device, creates a secure personal computing device on which to execute application programs such as mobile banking applications. The secure functional library acquires exclusive access to one or more of a predetermined plurality of the data gathering devices on behalf of a calling secure software application. Exclusive access is achieved by gaining access to each of the predetermined set and then locking that access throughout either the entire computing session, or at least until the execution of sensitive data gathering activities being performed during that computing session have been completed.